Friday, 24 February 2017

Pancakes Anyone?

I love pancakes
for breakfast, but having them for dinner sounds EVEN BETTER. And it's definitely awesome,
but there’s also a reason for it. Harry's family is British, and they follow the
Christian or Commonwealth tradition known as SHROVE TUESDAY (or, in other parts
of the world, Mardi Gras or Carnival Day.) Shrove Tuesday occurs the Tuesday
before the first day of LENT.

Confused? I was too, so I did some research. (What if it
comes up as part of conversation at dinner? It’s polite for me to at least know
the basics or things could get awks!)

Shrove Tuesday, and the first day of Lent, is determined by Easter.
Traditionally, Shrove Tuesday was celebrated by a day of fun and
feasting—particularly on pancakes—before the “fasting” required during 40 days
of Lent.

I didn’t think my family took part in Lent, but APPARENTLY
that’s why my mom gives up chocolate 40 days before Easter. (Yes, she does
binge on chocolate eggs the next day…) The word “shrove” comes from the word "shrive," meaning to “absolve.”

I’ve decided that after I eat pancakes at Harry’s house
Tuesday, I’m going to give up something for Lent, starting Wednesday morning.
It will be hard, but for 40 days, I won’t drink a single can of soda pop. Not a
drop of root beer, not one sip of cola, not even an ice cold Sprite. I’ll let
you know how it goes. What would you give up for Lent? It doesn’t have to
be food—in fact, Mom says we’re going to take a look at some of me and my
sister’s old toys to see what we can “give up.”